LEADING OFF: Heaney takes hill for Yankees, ex-Cubs slugging

By: The Associated Press Posted: 7:04 PM CDT Sunday, Aug. 1, 2021 Last Modified: 7:05 PM CDT Sunday, Aug. 1, 2021

A look at what’s happening around the majors on Monday:

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A look at what’s happening around the majors on Monday:

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Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 01/08/2021 (1572 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

A look at what’s happening around the majors on Monday:

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STARTING OUT

Toronto Blue Jays starting pitcher Robbie Ray delivers during the first inning of a baseball game against the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park, Wednesday, July 28, 2021, in Boston. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)

A pair of pitchers traded at the deadline — Andrew Heaney and Josiah Gray — make their first starts for new teams.

Heaney (6-7, 5.27 ERA) was acquired by the New York Yankees with cash from the Angels on Friday for two minor league pitchers. The 30-year-old lefty will face Baltimore as the Yankees begin a seven-game homestand.

The 23-year-old Gray (0-0, 6.75) made his major league debut for the Dodgers on July 20. He was traded by Los Angeles on Friday in a prospect-laden package to Washington for stars Max Scherzer and Trea Turner. Gray will start at Nationals Park against Philadelphia.

EX-CUB CLUB

Kris Bryant tries to keep up his success after homering in his Giants debut — the latest big hit by a trio of former Cubs.

Bryant connected Sunday in a 5-3 win over Houston. Acquired Friday from Chicago for two minor leaguers, the former NL MVP was greeted by chants of “KB! KB! KB!” when he trotted onto the field for pregame warmups at San Francisco. He drew a standing ovation before his first at-bat, then homered his second time up.

The NL West-leading Giants next play at Arizona.

Anthony Rizzo and Javier Báez, Bryant’s teammates at Wrigley Field until getting traded recently, also got off to smashing starts for their new clubs.

Rizzo homered in each of his first two games for the Yankees, then hit a key single Sunday in a three-game series at Miami. Báez homered in his debut for the New York Mets on Saturday.

RAY DAY

Toronto left-hander Robbie Ray will try to continue his fine season on Monday when the Blue Jays host the Cleveland Indians.

Ray is 9-5 with a 3.04 ERA in 20 starts and has 150 strikeouts in 118 1/3 innings. His strikeout rate is comparable to bigger names like Scherzer and Clayton Kershaw.

It’s been a great bounce-back season for Ray, who was traded to the Blue Jays last season after struggling for the Diamondbacks in 2020.

VINTAGE PUJOLS